The Hot Springs star. (Hot Spings [Hot Springs], Dakota [Dakota Territory, i.e. S.D.]) 1886-189?, 1887-05-13

kslity ones more.
Ayoung girl singing an
NyShe was clad IN . simple
"a, and there was . white
der dusky hair, Her soft dark
here full Of unoonscioas yearning.
aid not see the, audience. appar-
~, but looked away to some haunt
8 scens. The tender grace Of . day
hat was dead embodied her. Erskine
Psened TO follow that ease. His im-
)Aginatioa kindled AGAIN. This Il what
be saw: A rose garden in fair Pro
veaoe. that land Of song andsstory. A
white mist was curling upward from II
under the sunshine; Ike curtain It
was lifted, and the fairest scene Ers-
kline had ever looked upon was
stretched out before his eager. eyes.
A wilderness Of roses-that was all
Impossible to describe the riot Of color,
the wealth Of incense. There was .
gray castle In the distance; but Frs
kline did not look at that. Neither did
his glance dwell long ON the flowers,
for there wa . young girl there gath
ering them. and his eyes met those
other eyes, soft and dark, tender as q
southern night, aud rested there.
&ope~was q tender reserve, almost
sadness, in the face, and the flush ON
the checks vas not deeper than that Of
the blush rose she held IN her hand.
Er1kine was not an artist, he was only
. bank clerk on a holiday; but that
picture was photographed ON his soul.
She stool by . mossgrown fountain,
where u wingless dragon spouted up q
silvery stream amid dripping wreaths
Of maiden hair. Huge Cypress trees
stood in the background; but in the
illuminated space among the flowers
was this gracious figure in q dull blue
gown, that defined the soft curves and
rounded outlines.
What irony Of fate had transplanted
her from the wilderness of roses to a
London music ha1ll He felt at once an
imperative need Of knowing the story.
Tho voice scared up like . lark to
meet the sunbeam. A storm OF APP
lplause followed and the young girl
seemed suddenly recalled to the pres
ent. She glanced about timidly and
bowed slightly. There were no smirks
or bold glances. She glided away
quietly, and.the encore did not bring
her hack.
Vance cast one glance at the glitter
ing blonde who had followed and
then he rushed out Of the hall. He
astonished the nearest florist by empty-
ing his purse-not too we'll filled-for
roses. Dark. velvety Jaoqueminots
and cream-white blossoms, mingled
with others as pink as q girls blush,
In his hurried grasp.
"Ah, hallo ~ said q voice near him,
As he paused at the stage entrance,
wondering vaguely as to what should
be his next. step. "Why, Vance, you
are a captive Of her train, toop"
..oh, get out!" answered Vance,
impatiently, looking around at a POM
pous-looking individual with a heavy,
rubicund visage and scant hair. He
was . man Of forty-ive, and an au-
thority ON Change, but he had by no
means laid aside tho follies Of youth.
:. s.Bah-fowers," said Mr.. Zachary
Sheldon, looking at the roses, s.they
would like diamonds better"
"Come," said Vance fercely, as
tonished at the sudden fire in his heart,
.sno sneers, I'm not in the mood for
them"
"Well, We won't quarrel" said
Sheldon, with q mirthful laugh. ..Ol
course it's the blonde Lillian"
An unconscious feeling Of relief came
into vanoe's heart.
ssThe othel 20 is poem-Rosalia,
beautiful Rosalia. She's q flower, a
sunbeam-no. too pale for . sunbeam
"a silver moonbeam. She ssys-'
At these words Vance regretted his
bad humot. This man could help him.
He knew the italian nightingale.
81 say, Sheldon, excuse my gruf:
ness; somebody stepped on my corna
Just now. What does she sayp" he
asked. eagerly.
ssThat she cannot-s sing her songs il
. strange land; that she has left hel
soul, .mong the roses. All, you rascal
Isee. Rosesl but not for the blonde
Lillian"
..No; introduce mel" eagerly criei
Vance. And that was tho way It be
gan.
II was only Zachary Sheldon's CON
tidence In the supreme power Of none,
that made him underestimate til,
charm Of youth, and eager hopes ana
young romance He found out BIZ
mistake when, smitten beyond hi
powcr to Withstand 1t, he offered him
self and his money bags to the pal
italian girl. II was rather comical t
see the emotion In his fat face, tn
gleam.in bis small, pale eyes.
Rosalia did not smile. She va
troubled; but the luminous pallor O
shGr. lovely face was not flushed Wit
the palsst rose tint IS she declined til
favor.
u can restore you 10 Italy" b
said. "What can Vance Erskine d
for your"
.:He can bring Italy here" answere
Rosalia, ~. she thought Of the pa
three months. when she walked love
the enchanted ground in that ligt
which never shone on sea or land.
IA young man cannot love you a.
do" be said. with . gasp. for the bio,
-2- a--S - -.--Na 49,